faith + hope

We are in the midst of a crazy time here in America. The Coronovirus has shaken our world and turned life as we know it upside down. As a mother, I feel extremely protective, my eyes have opened wide to a new way of life. A life that includes stocking up on soap, washing my hands, social-distancing and a search for toilet paper. As a typical New Englander (and I think most Americans), I have been caught up in the cycle. Life in the fast lane. A life that includes a full schedule and not enough time in the day to get it done. Between work, being a mom, sports schedules, client meetings, running my business, volunteer work, trying to stay healthy, investing in my relationships, and carving out a little time for some fun! 100mph every day, all day. Its exhausting!! Over the years I have made a conscious effort to try and maintain a balance. Each year I get a little better, but it is a constant effort. I can’t count how many times I put the things I really want to spend my time on the back burner.

We are officially in Day 3 since all non-essential businesses in MA were to be shut down as declared by our Govenor Charlie Baker. On Wednesday, we learned schools were to be shut down until May. Something in me clicked. I had been feeling like a fish out of water. Cleaning like a maniac or binge watching Netflix. There was no in between. I was full board or zero energy. My emotions have been off the chart. We as a family have been practicing social distancing and staying home. It sort of seemed crazy when the numbers were at 106 cases. What we didn’t realize it the numbers were much much greater, but no on was getting tested. As these numbers continue to climb you can’t help but tense up. It’s scarey. This virus is no joke.

I have to admit, at times it hard to believe the media. I don’t know what is fact and what is fiction anymore. With all the political banter going on from both sides. It’s been surprising how angry people are. You see evil in the news and you can’t help but feel like the world is crashing in. Even the snow storms get blown up. It sends everyone into a fearful state. So when they started talking about the Coronavirus I admit, I sort of rolled my eyes at it. The common flu has more deaths I though to myself as I rationalized my opinion. As I watched the developments and did a little research on my own, I was horrified to learn that this is truly a pandemic. This virus is from an animal and therefore our immune systems do not know how to combat it. Its also extremely contagious. As this soaks in, I feel a knot in my stomach and feel the fear creeping in. In all of the self improvement I have done over the last year, FEAR was the one issue that has held me back most in my life. Here it is again, threatening to destroy our world, affect my family and those I love. It’s incomprehensible.

One thing that has definitely gotten me through this time is my faith. Actually, my faith has gotten me through some pretty tough times. The darkest of times in my life. They say God works in mysterious ways and I know this is true. I have witnessed this in my life. In miraculous ways. I have been in situations that truly could not have been possible with out God. I have learned that when I surrender and turn it over to God, God shows up.

So in a time where all we know is that it is 100% uncertain, let’s hope for the best, pray for the best and try and see the blessings where we can.